Faith Like a Child

"I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins

and become like little children, you will never get into

the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble

as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."

-Jesus

Dear God, surround me as I speak,

the bridges that I walk across are weak

Frustrations fill the void that I can't solely bear.

Dear God, don't let me fall apart

you've held me close to you

I have turned away and searched

for answers I can't understand.

They say that I can move the mountains

And send them falling to the sea
They say that I can walk on water

If I would follow and believe with Faith Like a Child

Sometimes, when I feel miles away

and my eyes can't see your face

I wonder if I've grown to lose the
recklessness I walked in light of you

They say that I can move the mountains

And send them falling to the sea
They say that I can walk on water

If I would follow and believe with Faith Like a Child

They say that love can heal the broken

They say that hope can make you see

They say that faith can find a Savior

If you would follow and believe

With Faith Like a Child

Our New "Normal"

It's very rare that you find anything with predictability or normalcy in Haiti. I learned very quickly this summer that there is no such thing as a typical day here. You don't know what traffic will be like on any given day, you never know what stores will be closed for no real reason and if the store you need is open, there's a fairly good chance their sold out of exactly what you need. It seems that there is an endless amount of variables in this place, any of which can change your plans for the day in a heartbeat. While this can all be frustrating, I'm thankful for the one [somewhat] normal day of the week that my "job" will now entail. Last weekend, soccer school began for the boys. This week, computer class officially started and will be held on Saturday afternoons after soccer practice. I've come to learn that the boys love soccer and I'm sure they will grow to love computers too, but I think I'm realizing that what they desire more than anything is for consistency from the ones who say they love them and care about them. With the unpredictability of this place, I am very grateful for God's provision over this and opening the perfect opportunity to be consistent and spend time with each of these boys on a regular basis. Below is a look at the first day of our new "normal."

It starts with soccer practice...

Wilguens tries to head one over Junior

Wilguens takes on his opponent

Lens' turn to take on his opponent...

Lens gets the best of him (pictured on ground)

and celebrates his first assist!

Junior celebrates his first goal!

A team prayer to finish practice

A few hours later, computer class is in session.

Teacher's Assistants, Lou & Louie

Computer Lab!

As Kylie and I sat waiting for church to begin on Sunday morning, we decided to get a quick game of hangman in. She ended up hanging me to death, but the word she chose was one I should have been able to guess right away because of how many times I've seen it in my own life: faithful. Although there are plenty trials and struggles while living in Haiti, God's faithfulness always prevails in the end. Here is another glimpse of His faithfulness to the call He has put on my heart...

In July, once my role for the next year with the boys' home had been finalized, I began to set goals for ways to improve the boys' lives in sustainable ways that will have a lasting impact. There were twoshort term goals that I felt very passionate about. The first one was to get the boys enrolled in the soccer school that would allow them to experience a new sense of freedom. The second goal was to set up andmaintain a computer lab for the Good Samaritan kids that would initially allow them to learn how to type and eventually allow them to learn how to build resumes, write letters, make powerpoint presentations, and even keep track of their personal finances. But this was all a pipe dream and although I was certain that God put this idea on my heart, I was unsure of the timing of it all.

Before I headed home for a short time in the beginning of August, I shared these hopes and dreams for the boys with a few people. I wasn't really asking for anything specific, just sharing my vision and praying that God would place the same passion for these kids on the hearts of others. I was hoping that by the end of my one month at home, I would have at least a couple computers to get the lab started. Then God had His plans. Before my plane even landed in the United States, we had five brand new laptops donated to Good Samaritan! This was another BIG glimpse of God's faithfulness to the mission He has given me and was affirmation that I'm living right in the center of His will.

Jeff came up with a great design for the computer lab and we spent this week building and installing it at the boys' home. This area will also double as the boys' study room during the week. Computer classes will begin this Saturday with how to not break a computer and introduction to typing. (For me, I will be learning how to say "Home Row" in Creole this week.) I'm really excited for this opportunity as it will not only serve asa way for the boys (and girls in the near future) to gain more knowledge, but also as time getting to know their interests and personalities better.

The beginning stages...

Loubenson giving Jeff a few pointers.

FINISHED!

Loubenson after breaking the news to him that he's a little too young to participate...

...but his jungle gym did get a little better!

A New Education

One of the many things I've learned since arriving in Haiti in May is that school here can be very demanding of the students who have the privilege of receiving an education. Without the luxury of textbooks in Haitian schools, the kids are expected to learn through memorization. On top of that, every few years they must pass a very challenging exam in order to continue on to the next grade. Before yesterday, the boys at Good Samaritan spent most of their time away from the books playing soccer in their small gravel yard. Outside of school, they rarely see outside the walls of their home. Yesterday, the boys got to experience a new kind of freedom and education: soccer school!

Thanks to God's provision and blessing over the yard sale that supported the boys' home in August, we were able to get Roodley, Jamesly, Wilguens, Junior, and Lens all enrolled in a soccer school that will practice for two hours every Friday evening and Saturday morning from now until June 2012. Over the course of this year, the boys will be able to learn the game of soccer on a real soccer field with real coaches and real equipment. One of the coolest things I've witnessed in Haiti so far was seeing these five boys run around freely and get a taste of what it's like to be a "normal" kid while playing the game they love. Unfortunately my words will not be able to serve justice to what the boys and I (as a spectator) experienced yesterday, but I hope the photos below are helpful in doing that!

Getting fitted with cleats and socks sent from the States!

Thank you, Carlisle Area YMCA!

The first day at school! Clearly this is strictly business.

Lens (age 9) was loving life despite spending more time rolling around with one shoe on than he did actually playing soccer.

Junior - Age 11

Wilguens - Age 14

Jamesly - Age 15

Roodley - Age 15

Colton and Max getting some time on the nice field!

The boys' chauffeur, Loubenson - Age 3